A camera-based passenger counting system developed by Adigo Mechatronics is helping ferry operators in Norway comply with international regulations while improving operational efficiency. The system, known as Adigo nPax, uses industrial imaging technology and real-time AI processing to automatically count passengers seated inside moving vehicles during the boarding process.
Accurate passenger data is a key requirement in the maritime sector, particularly on ferries where safety protocols and legal standards mandate that operators know the exact number of individuals on board. Traditionally, this task has been managed through ticketing procedures or manual headcounts, but the shift toward automated “free-flow” boarding—where vehicles and passengers enter the ferry without gates or ticket validation—has made those methods less practical.
With free-flow models now widely used, ferry operators face challenges in tracking passenger numbers, especially when individuals remain inside vehicles. Factors such as tinted windows, children in car seats, low visibility, and high boarding speeds complicate efforts to accurately count passengers using manual methods or conventional sensors.
To address this, Adigo Mechatronics has developed the Adigo nPax system, which combines industrial cameras with AI-powered image processing. The core of the solution is a camera from German manufacturer IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH. The camera captures high-resolution images of each vehicle as it enters the ferry, and the onboard AI system analyses the images in real time to determine how many passengers are inside.
The images are processed locally on the vessel, and only the count data is forwarded to the ferry’s logging system. This approach is designed to support compliance with data protection regulations by ensuring that no personal image data is stored or transmitted externally. Ferry crew members also have the option to verify or correct counts using a mobile interface, and these corrections are used to improve the system’s algorithm over time.
The camera used in the system is the GigE uEye CP model from IDS, equipped with an e2v 1.3-megapixel CMOS sensor. It features a compact, lightweight magnesium housing designed for industrial environments and is capable of operating reliably under variable lighting and environmental conditions. According to Adigo Mechatronics, this camera was selected for its sensitivity in the relevant wavelength range and its ability to deliver clear images at the required frame rates. The system’s integration was supported by the IDS peak C++ software interface, which facilitated robust and efficient operation.
Adigo nPax has been in operational use on the Arsvågen–Mortavika ferry route in Norway for over a year. According to Adigo, the system has been tested with hundreds of vehicles and has achieved a counting accuracy of over 98 percent. This performance was maintained despite the presence of factors that typically interfere with visibility, such as heavily tinted windows, large child seats, and adverse weather conditions along the Norwegian coast.
The company sees the system not only as a compliance tool but also as a means to support more efficient planning and operation of ferry services. By providing accurate, real-time passenger data, ferry operators can optimise scheduling, assess demand more effectively, and make better use of available capacity. These benefits are aligned with wider trends in the transport sector, where data-driven solutions are increasingly being adopted to support sustainability and cost-efficiency goals.
Interest in automated passenger counting systems is growing beyond Norway. Adigo reports increasing inquiries from international markets, particularly in regions that are modernising their public transport infrastructure. Camera-based systems are seen as a way to generate detailed insights into passenger flows without introducing additional friction into the boarding process.
While various technologies exist for passenger counting, including infrared sensors and weight-based systems, camera-based solutions offer a higher level of detail and adaptability. By integrating AI with imaging, systems like Adigo nPax can provide more accurate results in complex environments, such as ferry decks with moving vehicles.
As automation continues to reshape public transport, solutions like Adigo nPax illustrate how industrial imaging and AI can be used to address practical challenges in operational management and compliance. The combination of high-resolution image capture, local data processing, and real-time analytics provides ferry operators with a scalable and privacy-conscious method for maintaining oversight without disrupting the boarding experience.
The adoption of such technologies is likely to expand as transport authorities and operators seek more precise, real-time data to inform decision-making and respond to changing patterns in mobility and regulation.
